Bill Gates gives away $4.6bn in Microsoft shares to charity

Bill and Melinda Gates are two of the world's most prominent philanthropists (Source: Getty)

Jasper Jolly

Bill Gates has given away $4.6bn (£3.6bn) in shares in Microsoft, in his biggest charitable donation since 2000.

The world’s richest man gave away 64m shares in the firm to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the development charity he runs with his wife, in June, according to a filing to the US regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Nasdaq-listed shares were worth $72.52 on the day they were gifted.